Pneumatic Single Pulse Driven Bolt and Valve Assembly

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a pneumatically operated, projectile impelling apparatus having a single pulse driven pneumatic bolt/valve assembly. The assembly is used in an action mechanism in operative communication with a trigger group and a gun barrel. A single gas pulse operated bolt/valve assembly in the action mechanism operates on the input of a single gas pressure flow signal pulse to complete a complete firing cycle of chambering and launching a loaded projectile and to load a next projectile. The gas pulse is provided by trigger actuated fast acting, high flow rate gas valve disposed between a constant gas pressure flow supply and the action mechanism.

The present application claims the benefit of prior filed U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/790,409 filed 6 Apr. 2006,which the present application fully incorporates by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of mechanical guns and projectorsin which the projectile impelling apparatus utilizes a nonexplosivepropelling agent. Specifically, the present assembly relates to suchdevices which are pneumatically operated utilizing compressed gas tochamber and launch projectiles. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to chambering and launching mechanisms for use in paintballmarkers.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is particularly well adapted for use in apneumatically powered projectile launcher apparatus, such as a paintball marker. “Paintball” is a recreational sport in which members ofopposing teams attempt to mark opponents with paint, thereby removingthem from the game. Marking is accomplished by using a paintball markergun to shoot a projectile (paintball) containing paint or otherappropriate marking material at an opponent. Paintballs are sphericalcapsules filled with paint or other marking material which burst uponimpact. Upon contact with a player, the paintball ruptures, thus markingthe player. Once a player is marked, he/she is out of the game.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a pneumatically operated bolt assembly for usein the “action” (also called the “receiver”) of a paintball marker gunor similar type of projectile launcher. More specifically, the presentinvention is a pneumatic, single pulse driven bolt and valve assembly,and forms a part of the receiver or action of a pneumatic projectilelauncher. The receiver or action body of a firearm is the housing thatcontains the mechanism that fires the gun. The receiver/action isgenerally distinguishable from the trigger group and barrel of afirearm. Although, the present action is not strictly a part of a“firearm,” because the action is pneumatic and the gun itself comprisesa projectile impelling means that utilizes a nonexplosive propellingagent—compressed gas, certain features are analogous.

The present pneumatic bolt/valve assembly is particularly adapted forchambering and launching a projectile in a marker gun or similar type ofprojectile launcher. The present pneumatic bolt/valve assembly can bepracticed in an “in-line” action design and in a “stacked-tube” actiondesign as well. The pneumatic bolt/valve assembly has a generally acylindrical shape and is received in a correspondingly shaped bore ofthe action in which it is utilized. The action bore has an axis that iscoaxial with an axis of the barrel of the projectile launcher and theaxis of the bolt valve assembly. The pneumatic bolt/valve assembly has afirst forward bolt member (proximal the breech) and a second rearwardvalve body (distal to the breech). The bolt member is able to extend andretract along the axis of the assembly relative to the valve segment.The travel of the bolt member is designed to be limited by either itsrelationship to the valve body or by travel stops set in place in theaction bore. Activation and operation of the bolt/valve assembly servesto chamber and “fire” a projectile from the launcher. The bolt/valveassembly should be relatively close to the same diameter as theprojectile and is intended to reside in the same axial alignment as theprojectile's launch path (the barrel of the launcher).

An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic projectilechambering and launching device wherein the bolt normally remains in theretracted (“resting” or “open”) position until a source of gas pressureis applied to it, and which will chamber a projectile while preventingthe pressurized gas from reaching the projectile until the projectile isproperly chambered, and which will then expose the projectile after itis chambered to the pressurized gas, thus launching the projectile.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pneumaticprojectile chambering and launching device that requires only onecontrol element, in the form of a single input pulse of air pressure, toperform the operations of chambering and launching a projectile.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pneumaticprojectile chambering and launching device that utilizes a biasingelement to keep the bolt in the retracted or “open” position, and doesnot require the bias to be removed in order to chamber and launch aprojectile.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide apneumatic projectile chambering and launching device that utilizes asingle, relatively fast-acting, controlled pulse of gas pressure tochamber and launch the projectile.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide apneumatic projectile chambering and launching device that does notrequire highly efficient gas seals or a “continuous” supply of gaspressure present for the device to operate properly, because theactivation pulse is relatively short-lived, and thus there is notadequate time for somewhat less efficient gas seals to lose enoughpressurized gas to have a negative effect on performance efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway side view illustrating a preferredembodiment of the present pneumatic bolt/valve assembly installed in theaction of a pneumatic projectile launching device.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway side view illustrating another preferredembodiment of the present pneumatic bolt/valve assembly installed in theaction of a pneumatic projectile launching device.

FIG. 3A to 3C are partial cross-sectional and exploded views of apneumatic projectile chambering and launching device according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment side cutaway view of a pneumatic projectilechambering and launching device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment side cutaway view of a pneumatic projectilechambering and launching device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an alternative side cutaway view of a pneumatic projectilechambering and launching device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side cutaway view of a projectile launching device accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment side cutaway view of a projectilelaunching device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an alternative side cutaway view of a pneumatic projectilechambering and launching device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 a is an alternative side cutaway view of a pneumatic projectilechambering and launching device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, the details of preferred embodiments ofthe present invention are graphically and schematically illustrated.Like elements in the drawings are represented by like numbers. A typicalprojectile launcher 8 generally comprises of a projectile launcheraction 23, a barrel 24, a trigger group 28 and trigger 29, a projectilefeed port 16 opening to the breech 21, and a pneumatic gas pressureregulator 27.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depicts two embodiment of the pneumatic single signaldriven bolt and valve assembly 10 for chambering and launching aprojectile 20. The bolt/valve assembly 10 is installed into a projectilelauncher 8, and is shown in the retraced position (i.e., the breech isopen). The pneumatic bolt/valve assembly 10 has a forward bolt member 13(proximal the breech) and a rearward valve body 12 (distal to thebreech). The bolt/valve assembly 10 is secured within the receiver bore9 (see FIG. 7) of the action 23 by an assembly retainer 30. FIG. 7depicts a projectile launcher without a bolt/valve assembly installed.In the embodiment illustrated, the assembly retainer means 30 is amounting cross-pin that passes through the wall of the receiver bore 9and at least a portion of the valve segment 22 of the bolt/valveassembly 10. The bolt member 13 preferably has a cylindrical shape. Afast acting, high flow rate “activation pulse” valve 25 is situatedbetween a constant supply gas chamber 26 and the primary gas pressureflow path 11, and normally isolates the bolt/valve assembly 10 fromexposure to pressurized gas, until the trigger 29 is operated. When thetrigger 29 is operated, the “activation pulse” valve 25 opens andconnects the constant supply gas chamber 26 to the bolt pneumaticchamber 15 via the primary gas pressure flow path 11, and a pulse ofpressurized gas is transferred to the bolt primary pneumatic chamber 15.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, in a preferred embodiment, the bolt/valveassembly 10 includes a launch or firing valve 18, which when closedpneumatically separates the primary pneumatic chamber 15 from thesecondary pneumatic chamber 19, and obstructs The pressurized gas fromthe primary pneumatic chamber 15 from entering the secondary pneumaticchamber 19. The launch valve 18 is a delayed action sliding valve, andits operation serves two sequential functions: first is the chamberingof the projectile 20; and second is the discharge of pressurized gasfrom the primary pneumatic chamber 15. The bolt member 13 has a portingmeans 56 which communicates pressurized gas in the secondary pneumaticchamber 19 to be transmitted through the bolt face 17 (& 17 a) to impactand launch the projectile 20. The launch valve 18 comprises a slidinginterface between the interior surface 58 of the bolt skirt 60 on thebolt member 13, and the shoulder 62 of the valve member 44 on the valvebody 12.

The bolt skirt 60 of the bolt member 13 is partially exposed to theprimary pneumatic chamber 15 in such a manner that when pressurized gasis present in the primary pneumatic chamber 15 during the activationpulse, an actuation force f is applied by the pressurized gas on therear surface 66 of the bolt skirt 60. This force overcomes the biasforce F of the bolt retractor mechanism 14 which normally holds the boltmember 13 in its retracted/open position. The retractor mechanism 14comprises a retractor rod 38 having a rearward rod glide end 40 and aforward bolt interface end 17 a. The rod glide end 40 is acted upon by abias means 36 that normally holds the retractor rod 38 in a rearward(away from the breech) position, and thus the action 23 in an “openbolt” condition. In the embodiment illustrated, the bias means is ahelictical compression spring 36 through the center of which the shank39 of the retractor rod 38 is received. Other bias means are known toand in view of the disclosure and figures herein are selectable by oneof ordinary skill in the art for practice in the present invention. Forexample, a retraction spring set-up rather than a compression spring topull the rod 38 rearward, a double helictical spring (in a compressionor retraction set-up), etc. For example, FIG. 2 depicts an alternativepneumatic single signal driven bolt/valve assembly 10 which uses apull-spring 14 a as an alternative bias means 36 to provide a returnforce F.

In the embodiment f the bolt retractor mechanism 14 in FIGS. 3A to 3C,the mechanism 14 has a bias force F tuning/adjusting means. The biasforce tuning means adjusts the amount of the normal bias force F holdingthe retraction rod 38 in the retracted “open bolt” condition. This isaccomplished in the embodiment illustrated by having a threaded rearwardrod end 68 on the retractor rod 38, which is screwed into acomplementary threaded receiver 70 on the rod glide 40 into which thethreaded rod end 68 can be screwed to different depths to alter thelength of the rod shank 39 and thereby adjust the return bias force Fexerted by the bias spring 36. The threaded receiver is coaxial with theretractor rod 38. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B, this isaccomplished by the rod glide 40 having a hex key receptacle 71 set intoit as shown. Additionally, the forward bolt interface end 17 a has asimilar hex key receptacle 71 set into it. Other adjustment means areknown to and in view of the disclosure and figures herein are selectableby one of ordinary skill in the art for practice in the presentinvention. For example, the rod glide 40 can terminate in a standard hexnut fitting (not shown), or a screw driver receptacle, etc. For clarityreasons, the bias spring 36 is not shown in FIG. 3B, but otherwise, thefigure illustrates the relationships between the components of thebolt/valve assembly 10.

When the trigger 29 of the trigger group 28 is actuated, the pulse valve25 is actuated and opens. The pulse valve 25 is a fast acting, high flowvalve, and connects the bolt pneumatic chamber 15 to the supply gaschamber 26 via the primary gas flow port 11. The gas pulse chargesenters and charges the primary pressure chamber 15, but is preventedfrom further expansion by the launch/discharge valve 18, which is in itsnormally closed condition. The rear face 66 on the bolt skirt 60 of thebolt member 13 is exposed to the primary pneumatic chamber 15. Thepressure of the charge pulse entering the pneumatic chamber 15 exerts aclosing force f on the rear skirt face 66 of the bolt skirt 60 duringthe activation pulse. This bolt closing force f overcomes the bias forceF of the bolt retractor mechanism 14, which normally holds the boltmember 13 in its retracted position and holds the launch/discharge valve18 closed. As the closing force f caused by the pressure pulse exceedsthe bias force F, the bolt member slides forward, pushing the projectile20 present in the breech 21 forward with it. The bolt member continuesto extend forward through the breech 21 and sufficiently into thechamber of the barrel 24 to close the breech 21 and provide a dischargeseal. The projectile is pushed along in front of the bolt face 17 and isconsequently chambered in the barrel 24.

The magnitude of the closing force f directly affects the speed at whichthe bolt member 13 extends forward. In the presence of a constantpressure gas pulse, the surface area of the rear face 66 on the boltskirt 60 determines the speed and force with which the chambering actionof the bolt member 13 occurs. Therefore, the relationship between thesurface area of the rear face 66 and the magnitude of the pressure pulsemust be with in an appropriate range. If the closing force f is toohigh, it is possible to distort or damage the projectile during thechambering operation. If the force is too low, the maximum possible rateof fire for the action 23 is reduced, and there is an increased risk ofgas loss from seals 80 that are under pressure for a longer time; eitherof which conditions reduces the efficiency of the launcher. FIG. 4illustrates the condition of the bolt member 13 of the bolt/valveassembly 10 near the end of the chambering of a projectile 20. Note thatthe discharge valve 18 is not yet open. FIG. 5 illustrates the conditionof the bolt/valve assembly 10 with the bolt member 13 fully extended,the breech 21 sealed, the discharge valve 18 open, and the projectile 20being propelled down the barrel 24 by the gas pressure flow of the gasactivation pulse.

Upon the exit of the projectile 20 from the barrel 24, the pressure flowof the activation pulse rapidly dissipates through the barrel 24 toatmosphere. The rapid dissipation of the pressure flow causes theclosing force f to dissipate as well, and the normal bias of theretractor mechanism pulls the bolt member 13 back to its normallyretracted position. As the bolt member returns to its normally retractedposition, a next projectile 20 drops into the breech 21 in front of thebolt face 17, and the action 23 is ready for another firing cycle.

The character of the single activation pulse of gas pressure and flow iscontrolled by the fast acting, high flow rate “activation pulse” valve25. However, the design of the structural features of the bolt/valveassembly 10 is what enables the single pulse capability of the presentinvention. No other valving or gas charging of the bolt/valve assemblyis required in order to perform a complete firing cycle.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative pneumatic single signal drivenbolt/valve assembly 10. A portion of the cross-section of the boltmember 13 is shown in phantom to more clearly illustrate therelationship of the interior surface 58 of the bolt skirt 60 with theshoulder 62 of the valve member 44 on the valve body 12. In thisembodiment, a small portion of the gas pressure flow from the activationpulse is used to serve as a return force F′ additive with the retractorbias force F to more rapidly retract the bolt member 13 to its normalposition. This is accomplished by using the small valve port 50 tocharge the valve chamber 51 inside the valve body 12 with the pressureflow of the activation gas pulse when the primary pressure chamber 15 ischarged. This gas charge is captured in the valve chamber 51 between asmall pneumatic valve seal 53 at the front of the valve body 12 and alarge pneumatic valve seal 52 between the rod guide 40 and the interiorsurface chamber 51 of the valve body 12. Although upon the exit of theprojectile 20 from the barrel 24, the pressure flow of the activationpulse dissipates rapidly, there is sufficient residual pressure in thevalve chamber to add some initial early force F′to the retractor biasforce F to more rapidly retract the bolt member 13 to its normalposition.

FIG. 8 depicts an alternative embodiment of the present pneumatic singlesignal driven bolt/valve assembly configured in an “in-line” action.

FIG. 9 depicts another alternative embodiment of the bolt/valve assembly37 which installs into the action 23 of a projectile launcher 8. In thisalternative embodiment, the assembly incorporates a two stage designwhich utilizes two cascading discharge valves 18 and 18 a. These twovalves result in there being two different levels of forces exerted onthe bolt member 13 during the activation pulse. Typically, the firstdischarge valve 18 results in there being less extending force appliedto the bolt member 13 until the bolt member 13 has extended past adetermined distance. After that, the discharge valve 18 opens andexposes the activation pulse to a second discharge valve 18 a, which hasa larger exposed surface area to the activation pulse and therefore thebolt member 13 has more force f applied to it. This two step designallows for a more gradual acceleration of the projectile 20. This can bebeneficial when the projectile might be fragile, or when the projectileto be launched 20 is not fully situated into the breech area 21, inwhich case the lower extending force on the second cylindrical segment13 will prevent the second cylindrical segment 13 from destroying theprojectile 20. Another advantage of this two-stage design is the higherextending force on the second cylindrical segment 13 during the secondstage. This faster second stage allows for the discharge valve 18 a toopen quickly and allow the gas pressure of the activation pulse to passthrough the valve efficiently to launch the projectile 20.

FIG. 9 a depicts an alternative pneumatic single signal driven bolt andvalve assembly 38 which installs into or onto a projectile launcher.This figure depicts the loading operation and the opening of thedischarge valve 18 which has entered the second stage and is exposingthe activation pulse to the typically larger surface area secondpneumatic obstruction valve 18 a.

While the above description contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather asexemplifications of one or another preferred embodiment thereof. Manyother variations are possible, which would be obvious to one skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, and not just bythe embodiments.

1. A pneumatically operated projectile impelling apparatus having asingle pulse driven pneumatic bolt/valve assembly, the apparatuscomprising: an action mechanism in operative communication with atrigger group and a gun barrel; a single gas pulse operated bolt/valveassembly disposed in the action mechanism and operable on the input ofsingle gas pressure flow signal pulse to complete a complete firingcycle of chambering and launching a loaded projectile and to load a nextprojectile; a constant gas pressure flow supply selectably in operativecommunication with the action mechanism; a trigger actuated fast acting,high flow rate gas valve disposed between the constant gas pressure flowsupply and the action mechanism, and a trigger disposed in the triggergroup and selectably operable to actuate the gas valve.